Huron Humane Society asks Alpena to raise annual contract from $22,500 to $25,000 after rising vet and labor costs

Representatives of the Huron Humane Society told the council on Jan. 21 that shelter intake and veterinary costs rose in 2024 and asked the city to increase its annual service contract from $22,500 to $25,000.

A shelter representative reported that animals taken in from the city of Alpena in 2024 included roughly 327 felines and 56 canines; the total number of animals admitted from all jurisdictions during 2024 was reported at 445 (389 cats/kittens and 56 dogs and puppies). The representative said 405 animals were adopted during 2024 (53 dogs and 352 cats) and 18 animals were returned to their owners (1 dog and 17 cats). Average length of stay reported was 11 days for dogs and 37 days for cats.

The shelter noted significant veterinary spending: in 2023 it reported $66,577.25 in bills to the two local veterinary clinics; shelter leadership said 2024 veterinary costs exceeded the $57,000 budget. The representative said the shelter continues to rely heavily on donations and fundraising and that municipal contract funding is an important subsidy for operations and public health services such as vaccinations, testing and sterilization.

“We care for them,” the shelter representative said when council members pressed on veterinary decisions; “they've come to us. They're in our care. It's our responsibility.” The representative said the shelter had spent nearly $400,000 servicing animals, staff and operations in the prior year and asked the council to consider the modest increase to $25,000 as a cost‑effective public health investment.

Council action: the council voted to receive and file the Huron Humane Society semiannual report.